Renal Lesions in the Toxemias of Pregnancy.

Abstract

Twenty cases of toxemia of pregnancy were divided into five groups: (1) typical eclampsia with convulsions; (2) eclampsia without convulsions; (3) pre-eclampsia; (4) hyperemesis gravidarum, and (5) pregnancy in association with pre-existing renal disease. The pathological changes found in these patients at autopsy are detailed with special attention to the kidneys. In fatal cases of eclampsia and pre-eclampsia a characteristic glomerular lesion was found. The glomeruli were found to be slightly enlarged and the lumina of their capillaries narrowed. The decrease in size of the capillary lumina is caused chiefly by a marked thickening of the capillary basement membrane, but